BLACKSBURG — Before the start of last season, it was stylish to compare the potential and talent level of Virginia Tech's defense to that of the defensive unit that led Tech to the 2000 national championship game.

It ended up being a classic case of speaking too soon, as Tech struggled defensively in the first half of the season — giving up a combined 1,565 yards in losses to Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and North Carolina — before buckling down in the back half. The defensive momentum Tech gained from the late stretch last season has carried over.

Now, after going 7-6 last season, no connections are being made to the national championship game anymore. Yet, Tech's defense is in the midst of a statistical stretch better than any it has had in nearly seven seasons.

"Last year, we didn't have too much success," said defensive end J.R. Collins, who will be one of the defensive leaders Saturday for Tech when it hosts Marshall (2-1). "It's fun getting out there and just showing everybody we can be one of the top (Bowl Championship Series) programs."

It remains to be seen if Tech (2-1) lives up to Collins' words and develops the passing game, consistency running the ball and special teams prowess to reclaim its position as one of perennial top-20 programs in the country, but the Hokies appear to be right on track on the defensive side.

Tech will head into this weekend ranked second in the nation among 123 Football Bowl Subdivision programs in total defense (190.7 yards per game), second in passing defense (106.3 yards per game), 10th in rushing defense (84.3 yards per game), tied for 11th in turnovers gained (seven) and 23rd in scoring defense (16 points per game). Of course, Tech has surrendered 48 points in three games, but only three touchdowns have been scored against the Hokies' defense.

In its last six games dating back to last season, Tech has surrendered a combined 1,281 yards (213.5 per game). Not since the last five games of the 2006 season and the first game of the '07 season has Tech given up fewer yards over a six-game stretch (1,249 yards; 208.2 per game).

Tech went 5-1 in both of those six-game stretches. In the '06-07 run, Tech won at Miami, vs. Kent State, at No. 14 Wake Forest, and vs. Virginia, lost to Georgia in the Chick-fil-A Bowl, and beat East Carolina. Tech didn't let any of those opponents pick up more than 261 yards.

In this current six-game defensive surge, Tech won at Boston College, vs. Virginia, vs. Rutgers in the Russell Athletic Bowl, lost to No. 1 Alabama, and won against Western Carolina and at ECU, giving up no more than 296 yards to any of the opponents.

While Tech's defense has made shutting down offenses look routine, there's also been a spike in pass-rush results. Last season, Tech finished tied for 16th in the nation with 35 sacks, including 12 in the last three games.

Tech has 26 sacks in its last six games, including four against Alabama and seven at ECU. Collins leads the team with three sacks, while defensive end James Gayle, a Bethel High graduate, and linebacker Jack Tyler each have two.

"We've got some kids there that are athletic, and I think experience is another wonderful thing there," said Tech coach Frank Beamer of his pass-rush. "The more you pass-rush off that edge, and knocking arms down and getting angles and getting leverage, the better you become."

Tech is anxiously awaiting the return of cornerback Antone Exum from a knee injury sustained in January. There was a chance he was going to be able to return Sept. 26 for Virginia Tech's Atlantic Coast Conference opener at Georgia Tech, but it was revealed Tuesday he'll be out longer.

Even without Exum, Tech has gotten huge contributions from freshman cornerbacks Kendall Fuller (11 tackles and two pass breakups) and Brandon Facyson (tied for the national lead with three interceptions). Linebacker Tariq Edwards, who was hobbled all last season after having surgery in the spring to repair a stress fracture in his leg, is getting closer to 100 percent healthy.

"As the weeks go by, it's getting better and better," said Edwards, who had an interception and a sack at ECU. "I'm constantly day-to-day getting to a point where I really don't feel it at all."

ATLANTA — For nearly a quarter-century, Virginia Tech's Frank Beamer referred to his special teams return and coverage units as "pride and joy." They were the envy of every Football Bowl Subdivision program.

Marshall went to Virginia Tech in 2002 nationally ranked and quarterbacked by a top-10 draft choice. The Thundering Herd boast neither trait this season but nonetheless present a curious test Saturday for the Hokies.

BLACKSBURG — After watching his team give up a kickoff return and a punt return for touchdowns Saturday in a 35-10 loss to No. 1 Alabama, Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer started looking for solutions for a problem with no quick fixes.

John Calipari has hair and does not chew on towels, and none of his players is likely to appear as Grandmama in a shoe company pitch. Otherwise, the parallels between Kentucky 2015 and Nevada-Las Vegas 1991 are striking.